Venezuela Military Slams Opposition Leader’s Presidential Claim As ‘Coup’

Venezuela Military Slams Opposition Leader’s Presidential Claim As ‘Coup’

Venezuela’s National Assembly head Juan Guaido declares himself the country’s “acting president” during a mass opposition rally against leader Nicolas Maduro. Federico PARRA / AFP

Venezuela’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on Wednesday accused opposition leader Juan Guaido of launching a “coup d’etat” by proclaiming himself acting president in defiance of socialist President Nicolas Maduro.

Speaking at a press conference surrounded by top military brass, Padrino said Guaido, the president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, was attempting a coup “against democracy, against our constitution, against President Nicolas Maduro: the legitimate president.”